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WATCH OUT! The News i s a Loose Cannon; A s t o r y i n t h e Vancouver Sun says a 60 year-old f e d e r a l c o u r t judge was charged with commiting an indecent a c t when he was seen wearing a black b r a , p a n t i e s G nylons by members o f a g i r l ' s v o l l e y b a l l team, a t a HolidayInn i n S t . J o h n q s , Newfoundland. He r e s i g n e d h i s job f o r "medical r e a s o n s t f , was given an a b s o l u t e discharge i n court, G s t a r t e d c o l l e c t i n g h i s 98,000 d o l l a r - a y e a r pension. Not bad. In Waterloo, Ontario, t h e Sun says some 20 year-old c o l l e g e s t u d e n t i s t r y i n g t o g e t women t o walk around i n t h e s t r e e t s with t h e i r b r e a s t s exposed,
MARCH 15, 1992.
It's a p r o t e s t , she says, a g a i n s t t h e unfair practice of discrimination a g a i n s t women. She described t h i s a s : "Lots G l o t s of women, with many shapes, s i z e s G c o l o u r s of b r e a s t s , a l l p o i n t i n g i n different directions. Internat i o n a l Women ' s Week i s supporting h e r ; of course, she might j u s t be some kind o f n u t c a s e , e v e n i f she does go t o u n i v e r s i t y , b u t tGe newspaper t a k e s h e r s e r i o u s l y E a p p a r e n t l y s o do f e m i n i s t s . Women's groups a r e j u s t i f i a b l y concerned about sex crimes, r a p e 6 so on. I f t h e y a c h i e v e t h e i r o b j e c t i v e o f having a l a r g e numb e r of women walking around
showing t h e i r b r e a s t s , 1 wonder what t h a t would do t o sex crime s t a t i s t i c s ? Of course t h e s e women a r e sane, l e v e l headed people, a r e n ' t they? They even have u n i v e r s i t y degrees. Theref s nothing l i k e a l i t t l e academic p o l i t i c a l l y c o r r e c t b u l l s h i t t o f l y some dangerously i n sane idea i n t o t h e law books - a woman' s equal r i g h t t o k i l l f o r h e r country, f o r example, o r h e r s r i g h t to-show hbr b r e a s t s t o sex-starved males. I f we're so concerned about equal r i g h t s , why don't we have some p o l i t i c a l l y c o r r e c t pacl pf whiners & complainers supporting t h e r i g h t of f e d e r a l judges t o appear i n p u b l i c wearing women's underwear? I t would make j u s t a s much sense a s women's r i g h t s t o show t h e i r t i t s on
of t h e TV cameras, but when Strathcona & DB r e s i d e n t s wanted t o ban explosive & toxi c chemicals from being shipped through t h e neighbourhood Old Harry defused t h e prot e s t by saying ' d o n ' t worry, t r u s t us your p o l i t i c i a n s a r e taking c a r e of your s o c i e t y , W a t a p i l e of crap! & people should g e t jobs & support t h e economy of t h i s wonderful nation, shouldn ' t they? Take f o r example t h e shining p a t r i o t i c sense o f duty displayed by t h e l i t t l e o l d lady who was working i n a North Vancouver i n f r a - r e d n i g h t t a r g e t t i n g equipment p l a n t during t h e Gulf war. The owne r s had picked up a Pentagon c o n t r a c t & during t h e recession were promoted on TV a s a successful example o f p r o f i t a b l e employment. The l i t t l e o l d lady intervidwed dowr~iown s t r e e i 9. oii the asseii&lY l i n e w a 5 a b l e & how she In Toronto, t h e newspaper says t h e f e l t about her work. She smiled a sweet United Church i s t r y i n g t o g e t i t s d i r e c - granny smile 6 s a i d she "hoped i t would t o r s t o accept homosexuals - t h e i r p o l i t - save l i v e s . It i c a l l y c o r r e c t jargon says t h e church Is t h i s a form o f i n s a n i t y ? Not a t a l l . should "affirm t h e v a l i d i t y of same-gendThis i s an example of t h e kind o f response r covenants a s an a u t h e n t i c expression i b l e employment t h a t could g e t bums l i k e of inter-personal C h r i s t i a n committment " you o f f welfare. ...same-gender covenants? Sounds almost Actually, t h i s i n d i c a t e s . t h a t t h e mentb i b l i c a l . No question they should accept a l l y i l l could cease complaining about consenting a d u l t sex. I s n ft t h a t a r i g h t t h e i r d i s a b i l i t y & seek p r o f i t a b l e employo r law i n t h e Charter of Freedoms o r ment supplying f u t u r e wars with a c c u r a t e something? On s k i d row we have no t r o u b l e Canadian gunsights. What a wonderful oppaccepting such t h i n g s - i n f a c t , t h e o r t u n i t y . The o i l companys could continue judge could probably wear women's undermessing up t h e world & t h i s would c r e a t e wear i n t h e hallway of any o l d h o t e l i n enviro-jobs f o r those on welfare. I f a t h i s neighbourhood & h a r d l y be n o t i c e d . welfare r e c i p i e n t refused t o clean o i l o f f A German c o u r t has declared t h e l a w s . t h e beachs, t h e government could consider a g a i n s t marijuana u n c o n s t i t u t i o n a l . The him o r h e r a s scum of t h e e a r t h . The unjudges r u l e d t h a t laws a g a i n s t smoking g r a t e f u l wretch would d e f i n i t e l y i n c u r marijuana & hashish "infringe on t h e f r e e Mikey's wrath, & Moe would not be amused. development of t h e personality". so t h e P h i l l i p , t h e English p r i n c e , i s coming news i s not a l l bad. here t o have a look a t o u r logged f o r e s t s . I wonder i f an NDP government would The paper says you can j o i n t h e d i v i n e l e g a l i z e marijuana? I know one t h i n g presence i n t h e ballroom of t h e Hotel Vant h a t o l d curmudgeon Harry Rankin would be couver f o r j u s t 50 d o l l a r s . The p r i n c e i s a g a i n s t it. He closed rock clubs on Gran- going t o hand out Achievement Awards t o v i l l e because t h e k i d s were smoking i t . young people, i t says. I s t h i s a form of Old Harry l i k e s t o f u s s & f i g h t i n f r o n t i n s a n i t y ? - c e r t a i n l y not! H i s Highness does t h i s s o r t of t h i n g a l l t h e time, .& you can b e t he won't h i t c h h i k e i n sackc l o t h 6 ashes t o t h e s i t e o f l o c a l devasta t i o n . It would be decidely undignified & dangerous t o t h e r o y a l presence. TORA
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To ~ t t o r n e yGeneral Colin Gabelmann:
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CRAB-Water For Life S o c i e t y s t r o n g l y supports independent, o u t s i d e i n v e s t i g a t i o n s of i n c i d e n t s involving p o l i c e . From newspaper accounts i t ' s c l e a r t h a t t h e d e a t h of a young Native man, Frank B e l l , could have been avoided. Statements i n t h e media by lawyer P h i l Rankin -"And t h e r e ' s obviously a c l a s s b i a s . I f t h e y p u l l e d me over o r someone i n a b u s i n e s s s u i t F, I grabbed my Walkman, t h e y wouldnl t shoot me1'are true. The p o l i c e i n v e s t i g a t i n g t h e p o l i c e c o n s i s t e n t l y f i n d them n o t g u i l t y . During t h e p a s t summer I had a conv e r s a t i o n with an a c t i n g d i r e c t o r of a Vancouver Native group F, she expressed concern about a l l e g e d sexual a s s a u l t o f young Native women by p o l i c e o f f i c e r s . These women were " s t r e e t workersf1 G it was o n l y d e a l t with by a p r i v a t e conversation between t h e a c t i n g d i r e c t o r and t h e p o l i c e . Because of t h e important r o l e o f t h e p o l i c e , i t ' s n e c e s s a r y for both t h e p u b l i c 6 t h e p o l i c e t o have no doubt a s t o p o l i c e conduct. Under t h e p r e s e n t system how can t h e Downtown E a s t s i d e community have any confidence i n what now p a s s e s f o r i n v e s t i g a t i o n ? F u r t h e r , how many Native ---- aye i i i ullir"r~r l n w ii ' n Vanc~?~-?ver s p o l i c e dept ? The N a t i v e l P o l i c e l i a i s on i s made up o f a few white o f t i c e r s . We need an independent body t o invest i g a t e a l l e g e d p o l i c e misconduot.
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Don Larson
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NOTSEAL UP
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Time for seniorstd re-apply for benefits BY PAUL CHAPMAN Seniors receiving additional pension benefits must re-apply by March 31 in order to get the benefits included in their April cheques. Those seniors who get the Guaranteed Income Supplement, the Spouse's Allowance, ' or the Widowed Spouse's Aldowance must make the application each year because they are based on the previous year's income. If !he app!i&.~ns are recP!xjed late, they will still be processed and adjustments made, but to ensure no reductions in ,paymefits for April, applications must be in before the deadline. Anyone who got the benefits last year should have received their re-application forms in ...,early January. "Those seniors ?who have not got their applica'dons can call us at 666-3040," said Doug Runchey of the Income Security Program. "They can also come into one of out walk-in centres, but we suggest ..they call first.
Editor
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MacLeangs
Re: ---M s . Amiel's column, 2 4 / 2 / 9 2
Through o u r work with t h e d i s a b l e d community, t h e BC C o a l i t i o n of People with D i s a b i l i t i e s i d e n t i f i e d t h e need f o r a s p e c i a l i z e d advocacy network f o r people with mental h e a l t h d i s a b i l i t i e s . Many people with mental h e a l t h d i s a b i l i t i e s f a c e unique problems and a r e o f t e n unaware o f t h e i r s o c i a l G l e g a l r i g h t s . Mental h e a l t h consumers may not r e c e i v e a l l t h e b e n e f i t s t h e y a r e e n t i t l e d t o from t h e M i n i s t r y nf Socia l Services. To address t h i s need, t h e BCCPD developed a one-year t r a i n i n g p r o j e c t t h e Mental Health Empowerment Advocate P r o j e c t . This p r o j e c t was coordinated by t h e C o a l i t i o n ' s Advocacy Access team which i s funded by t h e Law Founda t i o n o f BC. These people w i l l advocate on b e h a l f of i n d i v i d u a l s with a mental h e a l t h d i s a b i l i t y who need a s s i s t a n c e 6 provide d i r e c t a s s i s t a n c e i n o b t a i n i n g b e n e f i t s a v a i l a b l e through MSS. Areas addressed include: * Income a s s i s t a n c e r i g h t s * Applying f o r GAIN f o r Handicapped * What t o do when y o u ' r e turned down * Extra money f o r u n a f f o r d a b l e items * Medical G d e n t a l b e n e f i t s * Housing r e s o u r c e s G o t h e r s u p p o r t s f o r independent l i v i n g Should members o f t h e p r o j e c t team be unable t o provide what you need, t h e y w i l l r e f e r you t o a p p r o p r i a t e I sources. #204-456 W. Broadway; 872-1224.
Perhaps i t ' s time f o r M s . Amiel t o q u i t t h e otherwise r e s p o n s i b l e pages of MacLeanls t o j o i n h e r s o u l - s i s t e r , Alessandro Mussolini. Incidentally, her (uncharacteristic) h y s t e r i c a l , hyperbolic, even v i t r i o l i c a t t a c k s on t h e Rae a d m i n i s t r a t i o n , a s i n comparing it t o Albania (???), must have been c u l l e d from t h e o l d , s t a l e , thoroughly d i s c r e d i t e d Socred r h e t o r i c t h a t i n t e l l i g e n t v o t e r s i n B.C. d i s carded eons ago - and f i n a l l y overcame l a s t Octnber. Come on, MacLeanls, a s we a l l know by now, Amiel has a v e s t e d i n t e r e s t i n p r e s e r v i n g and promoting t h e r i c h and , privileged position i n t h i s country ( i f n o t every o t h e r ) , and you, a s Canada's n a t i o n a l newsmagazine, should f i n d a more f a i r and r e p r e s e n t a t i v e voice f o r t h a t page. May I nominate o u r own M s . K i m Bolan (of t h e Vancouv e r Sun and one-time Morningside (CBC) A correspondent) and M r . Robert S a r t i ( a l s o of t h e Van.Sun). Thanks f o r an otherwise f i n e p u b l i c a t i o n .
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Sincerely, Sam Wayne Reimer
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Spring poetry is fron the Learning Centre's English 1 1 class!
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Spring i s t h e season I l i k e - t h e most I look a t t h e c a l e n d a r + Today i s February 19 The s p r i n g semester s t a r t e d a l r e a d y The s p r i n g i s coming soon I look a t t h e temperature gauge The temperature g e t s h i g h e r every day My blood f o l l o w s t h e temperature I lobk a t t h e o u t s i d e through t h e windows of my bedroom There i s no snow There i s no r a i n Flowers and b u t t e r f l i e s i n s t e a d o f them Nothing can compare t o s p r i n g Wince Lam
MAKING THINGS HAPPEN LEGAL SERVICES SOCIETY o f B.C.
Legal Aid Update ---------------Over t h e p a s t y e a r Legal S e r v i c e s , h a s experienced an i n c r e a s e i n a p p l i c a n t s o f almost 30%. A t t h e same time we have been unable t o i n c r e a s e o u r s t a f f i n g . This i s c r e a t i n g a number o f problems f o r us. We hope t o a d d r e s s them, both; by e n s u r i n g t h a t we a r e organized a s w e l l a s we can, and by working w i t h community a g e n c i e s t o e n s u r e t h a t t h o s e c l i e n t s we s h a r e i n common a r e b e s t served. One o f t h e ways t h a t we have attempted t o meet i n c r e a s i n g c l i e n t demand i s P ~ Jr e o r g a n i z i n g o u r own s e r v i c e s . We hope t o have a brochure p u t t o g e t h e r i n t h e immedi a t e f u t u r e t h a t - y o u can u s e a s a g u i d e t o our services. In t h e interim, t h i s l e t t e r p r o v i d e s a s h o r t o u t l i n e o f t h e work we're c u r r e n t l y doing. We a r e a l s o a s k i n g your h e l p i n d i r e c t i n g c l i e n t s t o u s i n a mann-e r t h a t a l l o w s u s t o s e r v e t h e b e s t we can The Legal S e r v i c e s S o c i e t y has a s t a t u t o r y mandate t o e n s u r e t h a t lawyers a r e provided t o people who cannot a f f o r d a lawyer 6 a r e f a c i n g a l e g a l problem t h a t threatens t h e i r health, safety, liberty o r l i v e l i h o o d . U n f o r t u n a t e l y we do n o t have t h e r e s o u r c e s t o cover a l l who have this t y p e o f problem G cannot a f f o r d a lawyer. In t h e c a s e s o f c r i m i n a l problems where thnnn r...-rr
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f a m i l y problems where t h e r e i s an u r g e n t m a t t e r a t i s s u e , & immigration problems where someone may b e depowted, we a r e a b l e t o make r e f e r r a l s d i r e c t l y t o p r i v a t e lawy e r s . I n a l l o t h e r l e g a l m a t t e r s we r e l y on v o l u n t e e r lawyers o r o u r s t a f f lawyers p a r a l e g a l s . To do t h i s work we have organized o u r lawyers & p a r a l e g a l s i n t o f o u r groups : Group 1 d e a l s w i t h s h e l t e r i s s u e s . These i n c l u d e l a n d l o r d / t e n a n t problems, f o r e c l o s u r e s , p u b l i c housing 8 co-op housing e v i c t i o n s . I n a d d i t i o n t h e Group h a n d l e s some certification 6 licensing issues related t o l i v e l i h o o d . P e t e r Merry i s t h e s t a f f lawyer i n t h i s Group. I f you have q u e s t i o n about t h e s e i s s u e s he i s t h e person you should c o n t a c t .
Group 2 d e a l s w i t h income s e c u r i t y . Rod 5 , Holloway i s t h e s t a f f lawyer s u p e r v i s i n g . I t d e a l s w i t h GAIN m a t t e r s , o l d age pension claims, UIC 6 t h e .Canada.;Densfon..I-'lan. I n a d d i t i o n , t h i s Group handles immigrat ion problems 6 contempt proceedings. Group 3 p r o v i d e s h e l p t o c l i e n t s who need a s s i s t a n c e with d i s a b i l i t y b e n e f i t programs. This working Group handles Workers' Compensation c l a i m s , GAIN f o r t h e Handicapped c l a i m s , CPP d i s a b i l i t y c l a i m s , c r i minal i n j u r y compensation m a t t e r s 6 a l l o t h e r d i s a b i l i t y b e n e f i t s . The Group may a l s o become involved i n Mental Health Act m a t t e r s 6 P a t i e n t Property Act m a t t e r s . Warren Standerwick i s t h e s t a f f lawyer who s u p e r v i s e s t h i s working Group. Group 4 h a n d l e s p r o bono r e f e r r a l s t o v o l u n t e e r lawyers. The lawyer' i n t h e Group, Tony Davies, may a l s o provide a s s i s t a n c e i n bankruptcy m a t t e r s . Our p r o bono program i s designed t o p l a c e c a s e s with lawy e r s who v o l u n t e e r t h e i r s e r v i c e s . C l i e n t s who have s e r i o u s l e g a l problems we a r e o t h e r w i s e unable t o h e l p a r e r e f e r r e d t o lawyers i n p r i v a t e p r a c t i c e who a g r e e t o t a k e t h e c a s e on with t h e Legal S e r v i c e s S o c i e t y paying disbursements. I f your c l i e n t has a l e g a l problem t h a t we can h e l p with, you must send them t o apply f o r l e g a l a i d . In most c a s e s t h i s means t h e y would come t o o u r o f f i c e a t 191 Alexander. We a l s o o p e r a t e clih'ics a t MOSA I C & Success. I f you wish information on t h e s e c l i n i c s , c o n t a c t Norma Coburn of o u r nee; 0,. Wl.L.L~",
One o f o u r b i g g e s t problems i s t h e f a c t t h a t most o f o u r c l i e n t s come i n d u r i n g t h e a f t e r n o o n . With your h e l p we hope t p remedy t h i s . P l e a s e make s u r e t h a t when people a r e d i r e c t e d t o o u r o f f i c e t h e y a r e asked t o come i n t h e morning. We a r e open a t 9: 00 am Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & F r i day. By coming i n t h e morning people save themselves time & ensure t h a t we have more time t o g i v e p r o p e r i n t e r v i e w s t o a l l . MARK BENTON, Vancouver D i r e c t o r Legal S e r v i c e s S o c i e t y .
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Legal Murder
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Bang y o u ' r e dead.
Reaching f o r w a l l e t , l i g h t e r , c i g papers, tobacco, b u s f a r e ...ma ybe t h should ban pockets i n p a n t s o r jackc t s - it could be d e a d l y t o your h e a l t h . I f you have a r e c o r d t h e r e ' s a bounty on your head a t a l l times. who i s speaking f o r t h e v i c t i m ? I t ' s n o t a d o c t o r o r lawyer's son k i l l e d w i t h a r a d i o i n h i s hand. I f I murder somebody I want t h e r i g h t t o i n v e s t i g a t e myself. N a t u r a l l y 1'11 f i n d myself innocent on any of t h e s e grounds: I f e a r e d f o r my l i f e ; he provoked me; he wanted t o commit s u i c i d e s o I was kind enough t o k i l l him. Brian Wagget Editor,
Police S t a t e
T h i s i s / a l e t t e r i n response t o t h e r e c e n t s l a y i n g o f a young n a t i v e verson i n downtown Vancouver. Frank B e l l ' s murder i s testimony t o t h e p o l i c e s t a t e we l i v e i n , p a r t of t h e genocidal p r a c t i c e s , t h a t a r e a r e a l i t y f o r s o many o f u s . Not long a f t e r , Bell was s h o t we:.saw B i l l Marshall come o u t w i t h a s t a t e m e n t defending t h e k i l l e r s w i t h t h e excuse t h a t Vancouver C i t y P o l i c e a r e nervous while o u t on t h e s t r e e t . I f everybody t h a t was nervous s h o t someone, how many people would b e l e f t i n t h e world? I suggest t h a t Mr. Marshall would have t o j u s t i f y h i s d e a t h squads i n b e t t e r ways, here to protect the general I my Own I have seen that no f a i t h in a policeforce that protects t h e Vancouver C i t y P o l i c e seem t o t h i n k us by shooting us. Own the streets, that have the I call on everyone to stand up and conr i g h t t o v i o l a t e anyone who i s i n n o c e n t l y demn t h i s merciless act of l e g a l i z e d mur.walking down t h e s t r e e t . These a r e t h e e r and violence against our society. Anykind of t h i n g s You might expect '0 h e a r one who has ever spenttimein t h e downabout from a f a r away, war-torn c o u n t r y , . town a r e a knows t h a t t h e p o l i c e a r e d e f i n n o t from a s t r e e t i n Vancouver. I remind you of a segment from Your p r i d e and joy - i t e l y o v e r - r e a c t i n g . I s u p p o r t t h e a l l e g a can any t h e Canadian National Anthem: "True North t i o n s againstthem, trigger-happy. one feel safe and secure with a bunch of s t r o n g and FREE ? I f t r i g g e r c h a p p y cops running around? I know I look forward t o t h e day when I can walk down t h e s t r e e t and not b e i n f e a r o f for sure that I do not. I demand a public inquiry into the having t o be harassed and now s h o t ' - b ~ / c o ~ s use of excessive force and unnecessI guess I better not carry my ever deaa r y u s e of f i r e a r m s . . . i n s h o r t , l e g a l i z e d d l y Walkman any more, a l i f e - s a v i n g prec; violence. a u t i o n ? My concern i s t h a t although t r a d i David Thyer tional institutions like the police are
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Letters John Kennedy
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CBC R e g i o n a l D i r e c t o r I
On Thursday, March 5 t h , d u r i n g t h e l a t e evening news, r e p o r t e r A l l a n Edwards f u r n i s h e d a r e p o r t i n which, I f e e l , a r a c i s t s t a t e m e n t was a i r e d . M r . Edwards was p r o v i d i n g a n extended r e p o r t on t h e p o l i c e k i l l i n g of a N a t i v e y o u t h , Frank B e l l , t h a t had happened duri n g t h e p r e v i o u s day. I n t h i s r e p o r t , M r . Edwards s t a t e s t h & "He ( B e l l ) was l i k e many young N a t i v e p e o p l e who d r i f t i n t o t h e c i t y . H e became a two-bit c r i m i n a l . " Edwards f u r t h e r e l a b o r a t e d on h h i s s t a t e ment by s a y i n g t h a t t h i s person had recent l y been charged o r accused o f s t e a l i n g q u a t t e r s from a p a r k i n g meter. A s a N a t i v e p e r s o n , I have many problems u n d e r s t a n d i n g why t h i s s t a t e m e n t was a l l owed t o b e a i r e d . It h u r t s me p h y s i c a l l y & e m o t i o n a l l y t o h e a r something l i k e t h a t , e s p e c i a l l y when i t is t r a n s m i t t e d o v e r t h e n a t i o n a l a i r w a v e s by d f e d e r a l l y - f u n d e d , p u b l i c l y s u p p o r t e d b r o a d c a s t i n g system. I a s k you, would t h i s s t a t e m e n t have been allowed i f t h e r a c e i n q u e s t i o n w a s J e w i s h o r Black o r White? I b e l i e v e t h a t t h i s s t a t e m e n t and its a l l o w a n c e o v e r t h e CBC a i r w a v e s i s a c l a s s i c example of i n s t i t u t i o n a l racism. Someone h a s allowed a statement tn h~ h r n n d c a s t whicb, I b e l i e v e , 20 t o 30,000 have h e a r d and t a k e n f o r f a c t . These i n s i d i o u s remarks have a way of l b i n g below t h e s u r f a c e & r e a p p e a r i n g when l e a s t e x p e c t e d . W i l l t h i s be t h e statement t h a t allows someone t o ; t r i k e a ' ~ a t i v ey o u t h ' a l l t h e more h a r d e r due t o t h e f a c t t h a t t h e y f e e l j u s t i f i e d by t h e v e n e r a b l e i n s t i t u t i o n of t h e Canadian B r o a d c a s t i n g Company (CBC) r e p o r t t h a t "many a r e two-bit c r i m i n a l s " and, t h e r e f o r e , g e t what t h e y d e s e r v e ? One of t h e problems w i t h t h i s form of s u b t l e i n s t i t u t i o n a l r a c i s m i s t h a t one i s never l e f t with t h e f e e l i n g t h a t i t ' s over and done w i t h . With u p f r o n t , d i r e c t r a c i s m t h e r e a r e ways of c o m b a t t i n g o r f l e e i n g from i t . For t h o s e young N a t i v e p e o p l e who come i n t o t h e urban c e n t r e s , 5 0 r whatever
r e a s o n q , many a r e b e i n g p a i n t e d w i t h t h c 7 . brush o f c r i m i n a l i t y . Never, i n h i s s t a t e ment, d i d M r . Edwards r e v e a l what t h e word "many" meant. Was.that r e f e r r i n g t o one N a t i v e p e r s o n , t e n o r a thousand? I f we cannot r e c e i v e an answer t o t h i s q u e s t i o n from h i s s t a t e m e n t , might we j u s t assume t h a t a s i z a b l e p o p u l a t i o n of B r i t i s h Columbian CBC-TV v i e w e r s a l s o have been l e d t o b e l i e v e t h a t t h e r e i s an i n v a s i o n of young N a t i v e c r i m i n a l s ? The l i m i t s of t h e p u b l i c i m a g i n a t i o n have been opened up and t h e r e i s no one t e l l i n g them t o b e reasona b l e . For t h o s e young N a t i v e p e o p l e who' r e coming t o t h e c i t i e s i n hope of a f r e s h s t a r t , t h e ' w e l l h a s been poisoned' & t h e y can h a r d l y e x p e c t an open arms welcome a f t e r s u c h a r e p o r t . W i l l employers jump t o t h e o p p o r t u n i t y of h i r i n g "two-bit c r i minals" o r w i l l c a r i n g l a n d l o r d s r u s h t o open t h e i r d o o r s f o r them? One f a m i l y i s i n mourning &,,it i i s :hardly a t i m e when t h e y need t o b e i n s u l t e d o r do b a t t l e w i t h t h e media o v e r t h e r e p u t a t i o n of a l o s t l o v e d one. I do a g r e e t h a t you do have t h e j o u r n a l i s t i c l i c e n c e t o a i r whatever v e r i f i a b l e i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t becomes a v a i l a b l e , b u t where a r e t h o s e e t h i c s l e a d i n g t h e CBC a t t i m e s l i k e t h e s e ? I a s k you why a r e n ' t t h e r e c o r d s of t h o s e p o l i c e o f f i c e r s who d i d t h e k i l l i n g open t t r p u b l i c view a s a r e t h e c r i m i n a l & o t h e r r e c o r d s of t h e r e c e n t l y deceased Frank Bell? P o l i c e o f f i c e r s have been known t o a l s o hvr..,l, YLLUL-
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o r d s would a l s o show i f t h e y were previous l y accused of misusing t h e i r f i r e a r m s o r i f t h e y had been accused of p o l i c e b r u t a l i t y i n t h e p a s t . A s a c i t i z e n ' s personal r e c o r d i s waved i n f r o n t of t h e p u b l i c , s o s h o u l d t h e r e c o r d s of t h e two o f f i c e r s i n volved. Unbiased r e p o r t i n g & changes i n Qhe R i g h t s t o P r i v a c y laws would g u a r a n t e e this. I f e e l t h a t t h e CBC i n t h e p a s t h a s , a t moments, p r o v i d e d e x c e l l e n t coverage of t h e r e a l i t i e s t h a t N a t i v e people i n Canada f a c e . However, t h e r e p o r t of t h i s i n c i d e n t h a s l e f t me f e e l i n g o p p r e s s e d . T h i s m a t t e r needs t o b e c l e a r e d up b e f o r e I c a n f e e l towards t h e CNC a s I once d i d . Matthew Cross
Listen Up
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From an academic p o i n t o f view, t h e methods used by Mulroney E h i s c o h o r t s t o difuse t h e challenge t o h i s corporate constitution are +antistic. A l o t o f people want a S o c i a l C h a r t e r t h a t s p e l l s out ordinary people's r i g h t s d i r e c t l y opposed t o t h e lteconomic u n i on" 6 l l p r o p e r t y r i g h t s t ' t h a t t r a n s n a t i o n a l s want. I f t h i s was 50 y e a r s from now i n a P o l i t i c a l H i s t o r y course a t some u n i v e r s i t y it could be read about o r debated 2 thcc g~ f ~ l r~ i x hafter class. The T o r i e s a r e d i v i d i n g people i n t o a s many s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t groups a s p o s s i b l e by eliminaLing t h e Co-op Housing program and t e r m i n a t i n g t h e Court Challenges Program. The l a t t e r was s e t up t o p r o v i d e l e g a l a s s i s t a n c e t o disadvantaged people i n demanding t h e i r r i g h t s under t h e law. The e n t i r e program c o s t $2.8 m i l l i o n . They a r e a I s o moving t o e l i m i n a t e t h e many b e n e f i t programs f o r people w i t h k i d s , u s i n g t h e same t h i n g t h a t we're j u s t f i n d i n g o u t t h e y d i d w i t h t h e GST, n o t g i v i n g t h e t a x refund o f $100 p l u s t h e GST r e b a t e b u t r e p l a c i n g t h e former with t h e l a t t e r . The f o l l o w i n g memo h a s come -
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Dear F r i e n d s , By now you have probably heard t h e shocking news t h a t t h e government announced t h e a b o l i t i o n o f t h e Court Challenges Program i n t h e budget. I t was c u t f o r p o l i t i c a l r e a s o n s , n o t f i n a n c i a l ones. Here a r e t h e p o i n t s we a r e making 6 we urge you t o make them t o o : - E q u a l i t y r i g h t s a r e important t o us! - E q u a l i t y r i g h t s i n t h e C h a r t e r without a c c e s s t o t h e u s e o f them a r e meaningless. - The Court Challenges Program has p r o v i ded t h e only a c c e s s t o t h e u s e o f t h o s e r i g h t s by disadvantaged groups! - Without t h i s Program, o u r e q u a l i t y r i g h t s a r e j u s t words on p a p e r , n o t h i n g more.
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The government must immediately r e i n s t a t e t h e Court Challenges Program i n i t s c u r r e n t form. The paper goes on t o s u g g e s t a c t i o n s t h a t can b e t a k e n 6 l e t t e r s t h a t can b e s e n t t o MPs E v a r i o u s m i n i s t e r s . The bottom l i n e o f t h i s i s t h a t t h e same t h i n g was t r i e d l a s t y e a r when Tory c u t s i n c l u d e d funding f o r a l l women's c e n t r e s a c r o s s t h e country. I n t e n s i v e a c t i o n s E demonstrations g o t t h e money back, b u t it d r a i n s energy from a l l when t h e agenda o f t h e t r a n s n a t i o n a l s i s t o e l i m i n a t e any e f f e c t i v e c h a l l e n g e t o t h e power t h e y want t o i n c r e a s e f o r themselv. Mulroney p l a n s t o ram through h i s Cons t i t u t i o n a l changes while having t h e supn n r t of less t h z ~115% nf t h e people - i e r - - b e f o r e t h e n e x t e l e c t i o n . Then he can j u s t shrug h i s s h o u l d e r s 6 s m i l e when people v o t e him o u t . The law w i l l have a l r e a d y been p a s s e d & i t ' l l b e h e l l t o change. Think about it. BY PAULR TAYLOR
Nineteenth o f February. 2 : 2 0 i n t h e afternoon The clouds a r e so c l e a r and t h e sun i s high Children i n t h e park a r e playing and laughing The s t r e e t s a r e budy with people walking You can s e e i n t h e i r s m i l e s t h a t i t ' s s p r i n g again Oh! My f a v o u r i t e season i s h e r e . 'I can smell the fresh a i r B e a u t i f u l f l o w e r s have s t a r t e d t o bloom People a r e planning what p l a n t s t h e y should grow And I ' m happy because i t ' s s p r i n g again Winter seems s o long, I almost cannot w a i t But now I ' m happy, because i t ' s s -p r i n g again Maria G u i l a l a s
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Spring i s coming q u i e t l y Spring i s l i k e something which i s a l i v e Spring s m e l l s l i k e f r e s h a i r I know Spring Spring Spring
i t ' s s p r i n g because s u n l i g h t i s s h i n i n g i s coming n a t u r a l l y i s l i k e p l a n t s which a r e growing smells l i k e f r e s h vegetables
I know Spring Spring Spring Spring
i t ' s s p r i n g because t h e new y e a r i s coming i s coming h a p p i l y is l i k e a new-born baby who i s smiling s m e l l s l i k e baby powder b r i n g s happiness b u t not sadness
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I think the dog wants to go out., Oh s p r i n g , y o u ' r e my b e s t f r i e n d of Being with w i n t e r was sad and d r e a r y How much I wanted my h a i r t o grow Spring, you always l e a p h a p p i l y a f t e r w i n t e1 r marches away When w i n t e r was h e r e , I had t o spend two hundred on warm c l o t h e s Spring, now t h a t you're here, I am going t o t h e d e n t i s t t o g e t my t e e t h c l e so t h a t I can smile even more f o r t h e n e x t season t o come Theresa Moosuk
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Govcrnmcnt An Accomplice In Crime? You've heard t h e t a l k o f more crime i n t h e s t r e e t s . I t ' s t r u e , and t h e r e appears t o be no end t o i t . I t d o e s n ' t have t o be t h a t way, however, and t h a t ' s a n o t h e r t r u t h worth r e p e a t i n g . I t d o e s n ' t have t o be t h a t way. I t i s a simple t r u t h t h a t t h e r e i s a d i r e c t r e l a t i o n s h i p between poverty, unemployment, e x p l o i t a t i v e p a r t - t i m e employment a t low wages, t h e l a c k of good s o c i a l programs, and s t r e e t crime. E l l i o t C u r r i e , i n h i s e x c e l l e n t book "confronting Crime" (Pantheon Books, 1985), makes t h i s connect i o n v e r y c l e a r , and t h i s a r t i c l e w i l l f o l l o w h i s main i d e a s . So what's t h i s g o t t o do w i t h governrneni-? Grivernmenr makes t h e rules i h a i
g u i d e u s i n o u r l i v i n g t o g e t h e r . These r u l e s can b u i l d a j u s t , c a r i n g s o c i e t y , or a v i o l e n t , p r e d a t o r y s o c i e t y . L e t ' s look a t a few examples. A c a r i n g government can p a s s laws t h a t would h e l p a l l people who s o d e s i r e , espe c i a l l y young people, f i n d t h e t r a i n i n g & decent jobs t h a t would i n c l u d e them i n a s e c u r e community l i f e . T h i s would mean a commitment t o f u l l employment, permanent p u b l i c o r p r i v a t e job c r e a t i o n i n l o c a l communitie; a t decent wages, e s p e c i a l l y i n a r e a s o f p r e s s i n g s o c i a l need l i k e p u b l i c s a f e t y , c h i l d c a r e , f a m i l y s u p p o r t , and t h e environment. A government t h a t r e f u s e s t o accept t h i s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , and allows i t s c i t i z e n s t o d r i f t i n t o a l i e n a t i o n and d e s p a i r , becomes an accomplice i n crime. In Canada t h e o f f i c i a l unemployment r a t e f o r youth i s 16%, b u t when you l e a r n t h a t S t a t i s t i c s Canad'a w i l l count you a s employed i f you work one hour o f p a i d work a wcek, you know t h a t t h e r e a l unemployment r a t e i s much higher: When you add t o t h i s t h e f a c t t h a t much o f t h e employment a v a i l a b l e t o youth i s p o o r l y p a i d , p a r t - t i m e work, you a r e looking a t a h i g e - d i s a s t e r . Rigid, narrow people involved i n t h e p u r s u i t o f l a r g e q u a n t i t i e s o f money, t e l l u s t h a t t h c market must d e c i d e about employment q u e s t i o n s . However, t h e Dutch c r i m i n o l i g i s t , Willem Bonger, warned u s 70 y e a r s ago t h a t a single-minded emphasis on market v a l u e s breeds crime because it "weakens t h e s o c i a l i n s t i n c t s o f p e o p l e .
A c a r i n g government would encourage p o l i c i e s o f economic development and income d i s t r i b u t i o n t h a t would d e c r e a s e t h e gap between t h e r i c h and poor. Tax reform, dec e n t minimum wage and d e c e n t income f o r t h o s e o u t s i d e t h e p a i d l a b o u r f o r c e would h e l p t o reach t h i s g o a l . A government t h a t r e f u s e s t o accept i t s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o work towards a more e q u i t a b l e s o c i e t y becomes an accomplice i n crime. I n Canada t h e gap between r i c h and poor i s i n c r e a s i n g , and t h e middle c l a s s i s s h r i n k i n g with a m a j o r i t y of it becoming p o o r e r . A c a r i n g government v a l u e s i t s people f o r what t h e y can c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e q u a l i t y o f l i f e , n o t f o r how r i c h t h e y a r e . A c a r i n g government encourages co-operation where t h e winning o f one depends on t h e wiiiiiii~g~f a::. A c a r i z g g G V C T i i r ; , C Z t Cccourages e q u a l i t y , and a l i b e r t y t h a t l e a d s t o f e l l o w s h i p i n community. A government t h a t d i s p a r a g e s t h e s e v a l u e s and encourages p r e d a t o r y and m a n i p u l a t i v e beh a v i o u r i n t h e s e r v i c e o f immediate g a i n , becomes an accomplice i n crime.
By SANDY CAMERON
THE SCHOLAR
THE SOPHISTICATE
THE SHUTTLECOCK
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ST. PATRICK'S DAY I TUESDAYMAR. 17th. EVENING SESSION
' GIVING AWAY THE GREEN !'
1 MARCH MADNESS CONTINUES ! 1
WALKMAN SUNDAYS I NINTENDO TUESDAYS I GOOD NEIGHBOUR MONDAYS & THURSDAYS I WACKY WEDNESDAYS I MICROWAVE FRIDAYS I V.C.R. SATURDAYS I
The poor boy who wanted t o be a p r i n c e Once upon a time t h e r e was a dragon who s t a y e d not t o o f a r from Mars. He wanted t o s t e a l t h e King's daughter. She was a princess. Every time t h e poor boy saw t h e dragon he t r i e d t o s c a r e i t away, b u t it d i d not work. One day t h e p r i n c e s s was s t o l e n . The poor boy heard screaming. He jumped and ran t o one of t h e townspeople and took h i s sword. He went up t o dragon mountain, up t o t h e dragon i t s e l f , and s a i d , "Give me t h e p r i n c e s s o r you w i l l d i e ! " But t h e dragon d i d n ' t l i s t e n s o t h e poor boy l e f t , t h i n k i n g of how he could save t h e p r i n c e s s . He went t o h i s f a v o u r i t e p l a c e t o t h i n k i t o v e r . If he saved t h e p r i n c e s s h e ' d .I --.I --z -----y~ .Lib= a ~ UuU L ~y : i s ~ U. L di. l e a s t become a r i c h boy i n s t e a d o f a poor one. So he went back up t o dragon mounta i n t o s a v e -the p r i n c e s s . Coming t o t h e dragon i t s e l f , he s a i d again, "Let t h e p r i n c e s s go o r I ' l l k i l l you." The poor boy d i d n ' t k i l l t h e dragon and almost k i l l e d t h e p r i n c e s s . He f i n a l l y saved h e r and brought h e r back t o h e r parent3! c a s t l e . The King and Queen s a i d , "Thank you" t o t h e poor boy &..he s a i d , "You' r e welcome" The poor boy l e f t and t h e King E Queen thought o f how t h e y could reward t h e boy. So t h e y agreed t h e poor boy should marry t h e p r i n c e s s . The n e x t day t h e King g e t s t h e poor boy t o come i n and a s k s him i f he wants t o marry t h e p r i n c e s s , and t h e boy s a i d , "Yes." The poor boy l e f t and t h e King c a l l e d i n h i s d a u g h t e r and asked h e r t h e same t h i n g . She s a i d "Yes The King c a l l e d h i s s e r v a n t and t o l d him t o g e t t h e c a r r i a g e ready. He t o l d h i s s e r v a n t what was going on b u t t h e s e r v a n t d i d n ' t say anything. A week l a t e r everything was ready. The poor boy had expensive s t u f f on. The wedding was i n t h e a f t e r n o o n s o t h e poor boy walked around u n t i l i t was 12 o' clock. When i t was 12 o ' c l o c k t h e y g o t married. Then 3 months l a t e r a f t e r t h e y had g o t t e n married t h e y had s i x k i d s . And t h e y lived happily ever a f t e r . u b L u l t t L
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( A t e x is under 12!)
By ALEX SCOW
Knee-Jerk P o l i t i c s : I t ' s easy t o u s e t h e language automatica l l y & s a y t h i n g s without t h i n k i n g . Automatic language i s owned E o p e r a t e d by t h e p a r t o f you t h a t i s c o n t r o l l e d by s o c i e t y . r.n ~VIICII ii~il~g dl s t: LUU ~ u ~ ~ ~ ~ i it cu afit gsudi e o u t E time i s always speeding up, t h e way s o c i e t y wants i t t o be, most people j u s t babble t h e convenient, conventional phrase s . Because t h o u g h t f u l t r u t h - t e l l i n g i s r a r e , we compound o u r ignorance by r e i n f o r c i n g each o t h e r s ' brainwash w i t h s l o g ans, buzz-words, c l i c h e s , jargon E language p a t t e r n s t h a t o n l y f i t i n t o o t h e r language p a t t e r n s , b u t do n o t c l e a r l y & t h o u g h t f u l l y communicate i d e a s . There a r e many examples of this, b u t t h e one s t a r i n g me i n t h e b f a c e a t t h e moment i s an anonymous quote from Pg.7 o f t h e l a s t Newsletter - it s a y s : " I f people t h i n k G r a n v i l l e S t r e e t i s a b l i g h t on t h e c i t y now, w a i t u n t i l you g e t 1,500 homeless people l i v i n g on t h e s t r e e t .I1 . a r e homeless people a " b l i g h t " o r d i s ease?. . . i s G r a n v i l l e S t r e e t deseased, s i c k E dying because people 'hang o u t on t h e s t r e e t a l o t , do i l l e g a l drugs E gene r a l l y seek excitement i n t h e midst of a boring, unimaginative b u s i n e s s world c a l l ed Downtown? When t h e c i t y f a t h e r s decided t o b u i l d G r a n v i l l e Mall, t h e y a d v e r t i z e d it everywhere p s a "people place". When it a c t u a l l y t u r n e d i n t o one, t h e people who made it a "people p l a c e w weren't good enough f o r them - t h e y were t h e people who hang o u t on downtown s t r e e t s i n e v e r y major c i t y i n North America t h e ordinary inh a b i t a n t s of h a r s h urban environments evcrywhere.
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p o l i t i c i a n s k business leaders c r e a t e transient environments, then despise t h e people f o r being t r a n s i e n t . If they l i v e on t h e s t r e e t out of choice o r n e c e s s i t y , they a r e a " b l i g h t t t . , . . i n f a c t t h e s e a ~ e d h esons E daughters of t h e g r e a t n a t i o n of Canada, who a r e on t h e run from t w i s t e d , h y p o c r i t i c a l laws E a t t i t u d e ~ . . . s o n s E daughters who have nowhere t o go but down t h e tubes i n t o drug c u l t s 6 underground criminal covens i n t h i s they f i n d an a l t e r n a t i v e - they find s a f e t y E companionship among those who a r e s i m i l a r l y d i s a f f e c t e d . I ' v e heard t h a t even J i m Green, f o r a l l h i s well-intentioned concern f o r t h e poor h a t e s t h e term " s t r e e t people" - he says i t ' s t h e same a s "skid road" - an image he a l s o h a t e s . J i m i s t h e only ttcommunity organizer" o f f i c i a l l y sanctioned E paid by City Hall. H i s job i s t o f i n d jobs f o r t h e homeless, E g e n e r a l l y hides away t h e "blight" t h a t i s an embarassment t o middl e - c l a s s p o l i t i c i a n s & businessmen. J i m wants " s t r e e t people" o f f t h e s t r e e t s . He does h i s work i n a kindly, )benevolent, co-operative .fashion; u n l i k e t h e cops, who t h r e a t e n 6 bust a s many ) I t s t r e e t peopleff a s they can. Under Jim's a u t h o r i t y , DERA c r e a t e s t h e impression t h a t t h e only worthwhile poor people a r e r e t i r e d union members & s i n g l e mother familys; Social housing i s designed f o r them, & under a f e d e r a l agreement, 2 / 3 of a l l s o c i a l housing i s rented a t merket !hall-IP nn1y 1/3 i s ~ y h s i a i ~ ~fr l~ r low incomes. Of t h a t 1/3, only those who can a d j u s t t o conventional apartment l i v . ing a r e t o l e r a t e d , t h e r e s t a r e known a s lthard-to-housett G have j u s t a s few options a s they have always had. Under t h e t h r e a t of "1,500 homeless peop l e l i v i n g on t h e s t r e e t , " J i m can g e t hi5 funding & c r e a t e t h e impression he i s moving homeless s t r e e t people i n t o a f f o r d able housing. " I f people t h i n k Granville S t r e e t i s a b l i g h t on t h e c i t y now.. . I 1 those people should g e t t h e i r heads screwed on s t r a i g h t & s t a r t t o see how t h e i r blindness & s e l f serving hypocracy runs t h e i r own sons & daughters i n t o an e a r l y death i n t h e damp, cold, concrete dawn.
...
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TOM
Chemical Lobotomies The poverty p r o f i t e e r s , t o get a permanent flow of cash from t h e g o v t t , need many chemically dependent people. Once they have someone chemically dependent, they feed t h a t dependency. The empire b u i l d e r s g e t t h e gov't t o fund them f o r room & board. What l i t t l e e l s e i s l e f t they dole out a few d o l l a r s everyday l i k e t h e person dependent on them i s a l i t t l e child. Many of t h e so-called p s y c h i a t r i c p a t i e n t s could f u n c t i o n a l o t b e t t e r i f they were weaned o f f t h e mind a l t e r i n g drugs t h e y a r e forced t o take on a d a i l y b a s i s . I f one i s dependent upon o t h e r s f o r food, c l o t h i n g 6 s h e l t e r , then add chemic a l dependency upon u s e l e s s drugs, it i s not s u r p r i s i n g they a c t l i k e dependent c h i l d r e n . A l l power t o c o n t r o l i s i n t h e hands of s o c i a l workers, head shrinkers 6 o t h e r s who, f o r a f a t paycheque, a r e q u i t e w i l l i n g t o d e s t r o y a person's i n d i v i d u a l i t y . Few of these " c l i e n t s " manage t o escape t h i s web - t h i s k i l l i n g of t h e mind. y BRIAN WAGGET
,
THE NIGHT The c o o l b r e e z e o f t h e n i g h t Cools t h e h e a t o f t h e h o t day The n i g h t i s when t h i n g s a r e calm and s e r e n e , You s e e i n t h e n i g h t t h e s t a r s and milky *way i n t h e g a l a x y , The n i g h t b r i n g s p e o p l e o f t h e s t r e e t going from one p l a c e t o a n o t h e r , The sidewalk o f t h e s t r e e t h e a r s t h e buzzing o f n o i s e and t r a f f i c i n t h e n i g h t , The n i g h t b r i n g s peace and calmness f o r , some peace, For o t h e r s it b r i n g s t e r r o r and d e s t r u c t i o n and d e a t h , But t h e n i g h t f a d e s away; and t h e morning sun sets f o r a new day
....
Barry Saunders
In t h e l a s t i s s u e , I described how one George A. t o l d how, whhnc~he,was i n e b r i a t e d a man & woman walked through a closed door & had a conversation with him; how George's kartner-in-drinking regained con sciousness long enough t o hear t h e woman and mentioned it t h e following day. I a l s o t o l d how it had turned out two years l a t e r t h a t t h e r e were two, a male E female, l i v i n g i n t h e same house a s I was i n Abbotsford. I had been driven t o t h e conCLusion t h a t t h e y were l i v i n g t h e r e about 24 hours ahead of me. I t was very puzzling. One morning when I had a day o f f from my job, I thought of George's experience and wondered i f I could g e t t h e two i n my house t o come & v i s i t me i n t h e present. I wrote an i n v i t a t i o n f o r them t o do so, l e f t i t i n t h e t y p e w r i t e r & went about my a f f a i r s , q u i t e f o r g e t t i n g it. Along toward midnight it came i n t o my head t h a t I should walk downtown & have a couple of beers before t h e b a r s closed. A s I was taking a place a t an empty t a b l e , a couple nearby spoke t o me. "We haye a l l t h i s beer," t h e w g m c s a i d , i ~ d i c a t i n g a t a b l e f i l l e d with f u l l g l a s s e s , "and w e ' l l never f i n i s h it by c l o s i n g time. Why d o n ' t you s i t with u s & help?" Free beer! I was glad of t h a t & glad of t h e company. , I wasn't a l l t h a t enthused about t h e man, who was Caucasian, but I r e a l l y l i k e d t h e woman. So much so t h a t when t h e bar closed I s a i d I ' d g e t a s i x pack & a t a x i & t h e y could come t o my place & have a b e e r on me. A t my place we had one b o t t l e o f b e e r each, a l o t of conversation & then I made a pot of t e a . I t was very pleasant but I s t i l l d i d n ' t t a l k t o t h e man because, a l though he was with t h i s Native woman, he seemed t o have r a c i s t a t t i t u d e s which I don't go along with.
Anyway, about 2 a.m. they s a i d they had t o go so I turned t h e porch l i g h t on and saw them o u t t h e f r o n t door. With them gone, I squatted i n f r o n t of t h e TV t o s e e i f I could f i n d a worthwhile l a t e show. I was t h u s occupied when t h e r e was a knock a t t h e door. I opened it & it was t h e man & woman again. "Can we use your bathroom before we go?" "Of course.11 I l e t them i n & went back t o t h e TV while t h e y went through t o t h e bathroom. I t s door was v i s i b l e from where I was & I was a l i t t l e surprised t o s e e them go i n t o g e t h e r . A f t e r ahwile I began t o wonder 'What's taking them s o long?' There hadn't been a sound from t h e bathroom s i n c e they went i n . Some more time passed & I became even more curious. I went i n t o t h e kitchen & looked under t h e bathroom door. A l l I could see was t h a t t h e l i g h t was s t i l l on. F i n a l l y , I knocked & 'said, "Is everything a l r i g h t ? " Not a sound. I knocked & spoke again; s t i l l nothing. A t l a s t I l o s t patience & opened t h e door. There was no one t h e r e . The bathroom window was painted shut. I had never been able t o open it & i t ' s i n t h a t s t a t e s t i l l . To g e t t b t h e back door o r e i t h e r of t h e two kitchen win9ws had t o t a k e them through my l i n e o f s i g h t . To make a long s t o r y s h o r t they could not have l e f t the. house b y ~ a n ynormal . means. A LHUJ LL.. ,L ---r V I I J, . F~ L ~AF ~, C ,r+,, UI A I ? ~ t - cii,.eupp~se them o u t t h e f r o n t door. "This donkey s t i l l doesn't r e a l i z e we're t h e ones from h i s tomorrow who he i n v i t e d t o v i s i t him." "We'll have t o go back i n & go back t o tomorrow from t h e bathroom. Maybe then h e ' l l smart en up. 'I A f t e r I saw t h a t t h e bathroom was empty, I d i d smarten up by r e a l i z i n g they were t h e two I had i n v i t e d t h a t morning. But it was too l a t e then. How I could have improved my understanding of r e a l i t y i f I would've r e a l i z e d & spent time asking questions. That's my problem. I simply d o n ' t understand r e a l i t y . But n e i t h e r , so i t appears, does anyone e l s e . t
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By ERIC ERICKSON
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I f you open your mind y o u ' l l know That b l i n d r e l i g i o n s have n o t t o do with t r u t h That f i n e d e c i s i o n s have got t o do with s l e u t h That c o r p o r a t i o n s have picked your choice i n t h e v o t i n g booth That c i v i l i z a t i o n has kicked your voice t h u s revoking couth I f you open your mind y o u ' l l know The mass academia only r e v e a l s what t h e y want you t o s e e The masked media only appeal t o how t h e y want you t o be The l a s t g r e a t men f a l s e l y scandaled u n t i l t h e y concede The c r a s s f a k e men g r e e d i l y scramble f o r b r i b e s r e c e i v e d I f you open your mind y o u ' l l know I f t h e r e ' s a criminal s h o r t a g e , c r e a t e more laws If t h e r e ' s a chemical s t o r a g e , r e l a t e i t s flaws I f t h e r e ' s an e c o l o g i c a l poor a g e , i n s t i g a t e pauses
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I f you open your mind y o u ' l l know Our committees have s o l d o u t , w e l r e now t r a d e d f o r f r e e Our compdiiies have p u l l e d o u t , t h e y t r e now t r a i f o s s , a n d f l e e Our economy g e t s no b a i l o u t , r a n k country a s Third World Our enemies,get t h e h e l l o u t , i t t s bankruptcy t h e y ' v e heard
Spring i s h e r e t h e snowballs a r e gone g r a s s and p l a n t s shrubs a r e sprouting n i g h t and day t h e sun i s high f r o s t and i c e a r e gone f o r
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next A1 Ian Ronaldson
J.La R i v i e r e
What season i s i t ? I smell f r a g r a n c e coming o u t from t h e g e a u t i f u l f l o w e r s I s e e b u t t e r f l i e s f l y i n g around I hear b i r d s singing The sun smiles i n t h e sky The g r a s s grows r a p i d l y S q u i r r e l s a r e dancing i n t h e f i e l d I f e e l I ' m melting i n t h e n a t u r a l What i s i t ? Oh, i t ' s wonderful s p r i n g J i m Cheng What i s t h e symbol of s p r i n g I d o n ' t know Yellow, pink, r e d t u l i p s a r e blooming and charming, Lovely d a f f o d i l s a r e laughing and dancing Very warm f e e l i n g s occupy my mind and l e t me jump i n t o t h e sunshine C h i l l and winds h i d e themselves somewhere Everything i s f r e s h Everything i s f i n e ! Anita Lo
WEALTH
4
Dizzy s t r e e t whirlwinds a r e guiding my journey down t o S t r a t h c o n a ' s garden of t r e a s u r e s , t o s h a r e my q u e s t i o n s with p i p e f u l l s of s o l a c e , wishing well dreams, and blueberry skies. Garry Gust
4
Television i s such a g r e a t education. They could j u s t c l o s e down t h e schools 6 have those l i t t l e suckers glued t o t h e tube 24 hours a dzy. Last n i g h t I learned something new from my t e l e v i s i o n s e t . I t s a i d "The goal of brain power i s t o t u r n out products f o r a f u t u r e market" - now t h a t ' s something I wasn't aware o f . - I thought the goal of brain power was t o c r e a t e more evolved s t a t e s of sonsciousness, clean up t h e mess, s t r a i g h t e n out t h e e t h i c s - s t u f f l i k e t h a t . . I a c t u a l l y believed b r a i n power was supposed t o do t h a t . But no - I have it on t h e highest autho r i t y (CBC-TV News Venture. Special Business Report - a study of t h e Asian market i n which my e l e c t e d r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s Trade Commisioners 6 so on -appear & say supportive t h i n g s with l e g i s l a t i v e autho r i t y ) . a b r i g h t young business-suited Canadian with t h e Tokyo a i r p o r t i n t h e background, h e r c u t e l i p s t i c k e d mouth smiling around p e r f e c t t e e t h . Talking r e a l l y f a s t . Suddenly my e a r tunes i n t o what s h e ' s saying. .!'and i n e v i t a b l y , t h e goal of b r a i n power i s t o c r e a t e new products f o r a f u t u r e market I t e l l you, it was l i k e a r e l i g i o u s experience hearing those words, & I asked myself why I hadn't thought of it before .what a r e v e l a t i o n ! Brain Power t u r n i n g o u t products f o r a f u t u r e market. The government & t h e n a t -
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- i t educates me t o my ignorance. Now Iunderstand. These autlloritys who write the history of,our g r e a t nation have assured me t h a t t h e i r word i s law. My c h i l d r e n a r e i m pressed, & so am I . TORA
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C r a b t r e e C o r n e r w i l l b e running a "Nobody' s P e r f e c t v t group on Tuesdays from 5:30 t o 8:30, s t a r t i n g n e x t month on A p r i l 21. T h i s i s a P a r e n t s Suppo r t g r o u p f o r moms w i t h a f r e e d i n n e r , t r a n s p o r t a t i o n , c h i l d c a r e and p a r e n t books. I t w i l l r u n e v e r y Tuesday u n t i l J u n e 9; p r e - r e g i s t r a t i o n i s a must. Call Rain o r MaryEllen a t 689-2808. The n e x t f a m i l y d i n n e r i s March 24 a t 5:30. Call Rain t o p r e - r e g i s t e r . Drop by f o r f r e e soup E bmrlock on Tuesday, Wednesday & F r i d a y a t noon E check o u r p o s t i n g s f o r ongoing groups.
7
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i n modern techno-talk. How could I deny it - t h e r e was t h e earnest f a c e o f my Prime Minister, Brian, f a v o u r i t e son o f Baie Como, beseeching me t o consider t h e s e r i o u s economic needs of Canada's business community. I almost puked. Well, not r e a l l y , I j u s t s o r t of got my e y e b a l l s shorted o u t when I r e a l ized t h e enormous import of t h e lesson I was r e c e i v i n g i n t h e p i x i l s (TV photons) passing b e f o r e me i n my own l i v i n g room. I thought I might be happier a s an a l l i g a t o r i n a snake p i t , but no, we're c i v i l i z e d now - & t h e goal of b r a i n power i s t o t u r n o u t products f o r a f u t u r e market. .how could I have missed i t ? 1 MY whole l i f e s e a r c h - ended i n f a i l u r e . i
CRABTREE' S CORNER
S i n g i e Mothersi Support Group Thursd a y s from 11:30-1:OO. Lunch p r o v i d e d . Come E r e l a x w i t h o t h e r s i n g l e moms.
Education Education s t a r t s a t home. P a r e n t s t h i n k t h e y know everything abput t h i s . R e a l i t y is t h a t parents (adults) a r e a f r u s t r a t e d r e s u l t of a brainwashed s o c i e t y . P a r e n t s know o n l y what t h e i r own p a r e n t s t a u g h t them, which i s o n l y what t h e church E government allow them t o know. "Work, pray & d i e . " P a r e n t s punish t h e i r c h i l d r e n s i n c e c h i l d r e n do n o t s e e t h e i r way o f l i f e a s t h e i r p a r e n t s do So, t h e p a r e n t s break t h e true s p i r i t o f t h e i r c h i l d l i k e t h e i r p a r k n t s d i d f o r them and t u r n c h i l d r e n i n t o s o c i a l r o b o t s . Children have no a b i l i t y t o be r o b o t i c , s o t h e y g e t punished, confused f r i g h t e n e d , f r u s t r a t e d and f i n a l l y broken down t o u n n a t u r a l soci a1 h e h a v i o i ~ r . church and government's e d u c a t i o n a l behaviour comes from a r c h a i c t r i b a l c h i e f t a n ' s who f o r c e people t o do c h o r e s t h a t t h e c h i e f t a n s themselves wouldn't touch. Such c h i e f t a n s were f o r c i b l y imposing t h e i r narrow p o i n t s o f view on t h e weaker members o f t h e i r t r i b e . So a r e t h e church and government. The r e a l education i s i n , your own s u r v i v a l i n s t i n c t s and your own l o v i n g d e s i r e t o expand, s h a r e and s e e . Free Loving, Sharing, understanding, car i n g and playing a r e t h e r e a l education o f L i f e . Free Loving and p l a y i n g allow you t o l e a r n w i t h an open mind. I f we a r e i n an environment of f r e e loving and p l a y i n g , i t e n a b l e s u s t o t h i n k c l e a r l y and s h a r e o u r thoughts with a l l . Doing s o we l e a r n e a s i e r . Learning i s t o look a t what i s and f r e e l y chppse what we could comfortably l i v e with, without f o r c i n g i t i n any way on o t h e r s . In a f r e e loving way we could s h a r e everyone's c u l t u r e without having t o choose one because o f o u r c o l o u r . We could p l a y t o g e t h e r 6 o u r p l a y would make a comfortable l i v i n g f o r everyone i n a l o v i n g and f r e e environment. Today's s o c i e t y makes you work, makes you f r u s t r a t e d , makes you s i c k and dead. I t d e s t r o y s environment, freedom, Love and Life. L e t ' s go back t o a c h i l d ' s l i f e of Love and p l a y s o we can r e t u r n t o t h i n k i n g i n a r e l a x e d , loving way. By CLAUDE MAURICE
Many a r t i c l e s have appeared i n t h i s n e w s l e t t e r 4 o t h e r j o u r n a l s which p r e s e n t t h e poor a s downtrodden, h e l p l e s s v i c t i m s who make no f i n a n c i a l c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h e economic system. Supposedly t h e y a r e a drain. I would l i k e t o p o i n t o u t t h a t w e l f a r e r e c i p i e n t s E t h e working poor do indeed make a v i t a l c o n t r i b u t i o n , a worthwhile c o n t r i b u t i o n t h a t no o t h e r group i n s o c i e t y i s making t h e s e days i n any a p p r e c i a b l e degree. The poor r e g u l a r l y g i v e t h e economic system a t r a n s f u s i o n o f cash. They have no c r e d i t c a r d s , no d e f e r r e d payment p l a n s , no RRSPs, no p l a s t i c money. T h e i r cheques a r e cashed E s p e n t , t o landlords,, s t o r e owners, pub owners & t h e l i k e monied people. And t h e y pay cash on t h e spot a t r e g u l a r i n t e r v a l s . The economy needs t h e s e t r a n s u f s i o n s d e s p e r a t e l y . The Budget was r e c e n t l y passed down, l e g i s l a t i n g a d e c r e a s e i n i n t e r e s t payabl e on investments l i k e term d e p o s i t s e t c . I t seems t h e government wants more o f t h e g e n e r a l p o p u l a t i o n t o do what t h e poor pave been doing a l l along - spend n o t save ( o r a s some would say, hoard). Those well o f f now w i l l f i n d t h e i r f i n a n c i a l circumstances c o n s i d e r a b l y reduced and w i l l b e motivated t o spend r a t h e r than save. The poor n e e d n P t worry though, a s I suspecf massive t r a n s f u s i o n s a r e required. Bv .JOANNF HAMEN
-
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R W O ~ ~ ~have O ~
humble beginnings:
I know i t ' s s p r i n g because I hear t h e b i r d s s i n g i n g o u t s i d e my window S I t looks l i k e s p r i n g I s e e t h e c h e r r y t r e e s dressed i n pink o u t s i d e my backyard ~t pmells l i k e s p r i n g The a i r i s so f r e s h G clean over t h e mountains It f e e l s l i k e spring
The g i r l s a r e d r e s s e d i n s h o r t s Carol Yan A f t e r t h e Conference with M i n i s t e r Responsible f o r t h e S t a t u s of Women, (by Maureen McGregor)
e f o u r seasons B~~ l i k e springfi,ost Madam M i n i s t e r , C l a i r o l l e d h a i r paving your can Everybody knows Spring i s a wonderful time such a yellow b r i c k road? I hope t h a t Spring l a s t s longer t h i s y e a r Can anything g e t through I t i s a wonderful time i n my l i f e t h a t blonde b a r r i c a d e ? Most people l i k e t h e branches bearing snow Maybe, a f t e r you've kneecapped us This season reminds me t h a t I miss my country by c u t t i n g o f f funding, I t goes by very f a s t w e ' l l b e brought so low We have t o wait u n t i l next year we111 c a t c h a, glimpse (CI Tran Thuan I 0 of your bedrock, r e a l i z e you d i d have a L i f e Before Brian - - perhaps a l i n e i n d i c a t i n g where something exploded o r you s u f f e r e d a f l o o d . Then we'd know t h a t a t l e a s t once you were human. Meanwhile, y o u ' r e no Dorothy, only t h e Wicked Witch, and B r i a n ' s no wizard a t anything b u t plummy-voiced p l a t i t u d e s , and a tornado o f a Free Trade d e a l sucking up jobs and w h i r l i n g them t o the States. Too bad it wasn't t h e whole Tory pa t h a t was snatched up and du
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The b r i g h t s p r i n g approaches every year I t b r i n g s u s unaccountable happiness I t makes u s a c t i v e Unfairly, it cannot s t a y long with us.
When it goes away, we have a h e a r t sad mind Supposing we could keep it longer ~ u lri v e s would be b r i g h t a s s p r i n g Oh how wonderful it i s I l o v e it f o r e v e r Sheng lung Liao
Dear Mayor Campbell and Council: A s you know, t h e NPA's r e j e c t i o n o f a modest g r a n t t o DERA has s e r i o u s l y a f f e c t e d DERA's a b i l i t y t o do community development i n t h e downtown south. This d e c i s ion i s a b s o l u t e l y i r r e s p o n s i b l e & a matte r I t h i n k should concern everyone, And considering the inappropriateness of remarks by some NPA members a g a i n s t DERA, serious questions a r i s e . "Non P a r t i s a n Association" members of c o u n c i l say DERA i s p o l i t i c a l l y p a r t i s a n 6 should n o t r e c e i v e t h e $56,700 g r a n t it needs t o do important community development work i n downtown south - work o f v i t a l importance i f t h e c i t y ' s redevelopment r*-r----n r n n n c a l c fnr the a r e a a r e t n b r i n g --the desired results. But it i s g l a r i n g l y apparent t h a t counc i l l o r s a r e s o determined t o p o l i t i c a l l y b u l l y DERA t h a t t h e y even r e j e c t e d t h e unanimous recommendations submitted by both t h e C i t y Manager & t h e D i r e c t o r of S o c i a l Planning; namely, t h a t o f a l l ' t h e f e a s i b l e a l t e r n a t i v e s f o r achieving e f f e c t i v e community p r e p a r a t i o n & involvement of l o c a l r e s i d e n t s , DERA i s c l e a r l y b e s t a b l e t o perform t h i s f u n c t i o n and should be c o n t r a c t e d f o r same. I am s u r e t h a t most fair-minded people r e a l i z e t h a t above a l l i t u s u a l l y t a k e s hard work & dedicated e f f o r t t o make even t h e s l i g h t e s t improvements i n t h e l i v e s of people who a r e o f t e n pushed a s i d e by mainstream s o c i e t y . And i f , on occasion, h e l p e r s such a s DEW f i n d it n e c e s s a r y t o y e l l 6 scream a t p o l i t i c i a n s i n o r d e r t o make a p o i n t , t h e y should not be condemned f o r i t . But t h i s c e r t a i n l y h a s n ' t been t h e case f o r DERA. Former council member Warnet Kennedy ad m i t t e d r e c e n t l y t h a t i n h i s day DERA was a " d i r t y wordt1 among h i s c o l l e a g u e s . Last year, speaking a g a i n s t t h e DEW a p p l i c a t ion, council member Gordon P r i c e made no bones about h i s f e a r s : "to what p o l i t i c a l end i s t h e downtown south being used (by DERA) i t s c h i e f r e p r e s e n t a t i v e may be we've f i g h t i n g u s a t t h e next e l e c t i o n got t o b e l l t h e c a t on t h i s one."
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I f t h i s d o e s n ' t s i g n i f y an advanced c a s e of p o l i t i c a l p a r a n o i a , I d o n ' t know what does. Why should NPA p o l i t i c a l c a r e e r s be t h e s u b j e c t o f d e b a t e i n C i t y H a l l ' s chamber? And why a t t h e expense o f l e g i t i m a t e needs of e x c e p t i o n a l l y t r o u b l ed communities? Talk about ' t h e p o t c a l l ing t h e k e t t l e black' A s campaigners f o r e l e c t e d o f f i c e we may understandably attempt t o i d e n t i f y whomever we p e r c e i v e a s p o l i t i c a l oppone n t s , b u t once i n o f f i c e we a r e dutybound t o s e r v e without p r e j u d i c e , d i s c r i mination o r malice, F o n e ' s p o l i t i c a l persuasion should b e no exception. Prudence 6 f a i r n e s s d i c t a t e t h a t you should now r e c o n s i d e r t h e advice given by \rnv.-~ n m F o r r ; n n r r l r + r r C C t- a n n n n r r n + L o DERA g r a n t a p p l i c a t i o n on i t s m e r i t . F a i l u r e t o do s o w i l l s u r e l y h u r t hundr e d s of people counting on t h e e f f o r t s of DERA t o h e l p improve t h e i r l i v e s & l i v i n g c o n d i t i o n s . And you know a s w e l l a s I how c r i t i c a l t h i s w i l l be i n t h e o v e r a l l proc e s s of s u c c e s s f u l l y redeveloping downtown south.
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Did you know t h a t a l o c a l TV s t a t i o n conducted a r e c e n t t e l e v o t e p o l l on t h i s m a t t e r 6 received 1500 c a l l s w i t h i n an hour? And t h a t 1300 o f them s a i d I1yesH g i v e DERA t h e $56,700? Thank you f o r your a t t e n t i o n , & again I urge you & council t o p u t t h e needs of t h e community b e f o r e p o l i t i c s & g r a n t DERA t h i s small r e q u e s t . I am c o n f i d e n t t h e people o f Vancouver w i l l b e p l e a s e d with t h i s decision. Emery Barnes MLA
STD CLINIC - Monday through F r i d a y , 9 a a - 5pm. FREE MEDICAL CLINIC - Mon, Wed, F r i d a y , 5:30-7 :30prn EASTSIDE NEEDLE EXCHANGE - 221 Main; e v e r y day 9arn - 5pm. *OUT" N e e d l e Exchange vans - on t h e s t r e e t Mon-Sat e v e n i n , g s . N.A. meets e v e r y Monday n i g h t at 223 Main S t r e e t . SOCIETY
D(IWNTOWN
1992 DONATIONS: Keith C. -$20 Nancy W. -$2OO Luba P. -$I0 Robert -$lo Four S i s t e r s Co-op -$SO0 DERA -$SO0 Legal Services -$200 Etienne S.-$30 Forest Lawn -$25 Yvonne c -$-LO Keo -$5 Tom S .-$5 Hazel M.-$25 The Old Sailor-$40 C e c i l e R. -$20
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The Downtown Eastslde Itesldenls' Aksoclnllo~r can.help you wlth: +
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hiormallon on legal rlgllts disputes will1 landhrds I I ~ C U ~ l~aCx UIC problems firding lmusi~lp, opcnlng a hank nccnunt
or'phone us at 682-0931
DERA HAS BEEN SERVING THE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE FOR 19 YEARS.
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Away from Economic Terrorism G Toward a S e n t i e n t Peace Armed s t r u g g l e - war E i t s h o r r o r s i s r e l a t i v e l y unknown i n Canada. I t i s a major p a r t o f news from a l l over t h e world though, 6 can only be ignored a t o u r c o l l e c t i v e p e r i l . Even i n t h e U.S. t h e r e a r e few, i f any, although t h e m i l i t a r y might of our neighbour surpasses t h a t of any o t h e r nation on Earth. How then have thousands of people i n t h e s e two c o u n t r i e s come t o t h e conviction t h a t one o r both a r e being systematic a l l y destroyed? Behind every armed f o r c e is a fundament a l w i l l t o acquire, t o t a k e from, t o p r o f i t on a s c a l e equal t o o r g r e a t e r than t h e s c a l e of resource4 F, f v n d i n g maintaining s a i d armed f o r c e . Consider Ottawa/Washington. Bay Street/Wall S t r e e t t h e f o r c e of banks & t r a n s n a t i o n a l corpor a t i o n s armed t o t h e t e e t h & deadly s e r i ous. The power wielded has i t s base i n t h e mental d i s e a s e o f greed. In Canada the weapons used have been t h e "freef! t r a d e agreement, i n t e r e s t r a t e s , obscene t a x e s on t h e shrinking middle c l a s s burgeoning poor while majo r banks G over 110,000 c o r p o r a t i o n s pay no income t a x e s a t a l l . These same banks ( E t h e i r b e s t customers, t h e t r a n s n a t i o n a l ~ wage ) continuous war a g a i n s t t h e hopes E a s p i r a t i o n s of m i l l i o n s of people through economic t e r r o r i s m - t h e s t r u c t u r . a1 adjustment programs of t h e I n t e r n a t i o n . a1 Monetary Fund 6 t h e WorXd Bank, t h e successive campaigns of f o r e i g n incursion i n t o t h e economies of poor c o u n t r i e s , pay. ing i n mud E misery while e x t r a c t i n g gold E more greed.
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In Canada t h e f e a r of poverty i s used a s a form of p o l i t i c a l c o n t r o l . The rhythmic r h e t o r i c used t o s e l l s f f r e e " t r a d e , paid f o r (the $54 m i l l i o n c o s t o f t h e Mulroney/Tory p u b l i c r e l a t i o n s scam) from corporate p e t t y cash, has u s now i n t h e p o s i t i o n of many Third World n a t i o n s . Buzz-words l i k e "competitiveness" E t h e o f t - r e p e a t e d "no a l t e r n a t i v e " a r e used t o d u l l our f u t u r e & even o u r expectations f o r our c h i l d r e n . The next s t a g e i n t h i s corporate agenda is t o expand f l f r e e f l t r a d e t o Mexico, d e s p i t e i t s e l e c t o r a l fraud, t h e murder of over 100 people who were l e a d e r s i n opposition & a Eecord of human r i g h t s 1 abuses s t i l l growing. The Business Council on National I s s u e s , a s u b s i d i a r y o f t h e T r i l a t e r a l Commission? hal~ullc~s aLoui i i ~ ed e f i c i r ; 4 the debt 6 c u t t i n g s o c i a l programs while i t s t r a n s n a t i o n a l members c l o s e p l a n t s , r u i n t h e l i v e s & plans of hundreds of thousands of people, decimate communities & f e e l no res p o n s i b i l i t y f o r consequences then immed i a t e l y b u i l d new p l a n t s i n c o u n t r i e s where t h e pure enjoyment o f paying s l a v e wages ($5 a DAY) amid non-enforcement of pollution controls is theirs virtually tax f r e e . I f t h i s sounds l i k e a r h e t o r i c a l r a n t then p l e a s e s t o p reading. I f your i n n e r rage keeps you here, ask how dogmatic o r r h e t o r i c a l it i s t o speak o f r a i n f o r e s t s being destroyed f o r lumber E f u t u r e grazing land f o r Big Macs on t h e hoof, of armi e s f i g h t i n g f o r c o n t r o l of o i l , o r j u s t why one group wants what another group has? The causes of war a r e o f t e n penned by t h e v i c t o r s i n t h e aftermath, but we a r e i n a c r u c i a l period of p l a n e t a r y s u r v i v a l now. What i s c u r r e n t l y "peace1' doesn't deserve t h a t l a b e l when c h i l d r e n go t o school hungry. .when alcohol & drug abuse a r e rampant,when homocide & crime t h r e a t e n u s a l l . P.R.Sarkar s a i d : llCapitalism makes humans beggars; communism makes t h e beggar a beast Only a , p e o p l e l s agenda w i l l t a k e u s through t h i s ; only funding f o r p e o p l e ' s needs through r a t i o n a l d i s t r i b u t i o n o f wealth r a t h e r than t h e c u r r e n t flow i n t o corporate : c o f f e r s w i l l help u s r e a l i s e a s e n t i e n t peace. By PAULR TAYLOR
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"Wemake or break human life, every day of the year as probably no other force on earth has ever done in the past or will ever do again."
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Carlos Cortes, Nicaragua Public Employee
Statement by Davison Uudhoo, an economist, in an open resignation letter to Lhe I.M.F.
II 7 pm. L a b a t t H a l l , SFU Harbour Centre (by donat ion) Keynote Speakers: J O E GUNN and JEAN SWANSON C e n t r a l American Musicians) (Music
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SFU Harbour Centre 9:00 9:30
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Registration Introduction in-nn 1 aI L : ~t j o r k s h o ~ s I: C o n t i n e n t a l S t r a t e g i e s / ~ n v i r o n m e n t 11: Women t o Women Global S t r a t e g i e s 111: Refugees/Displaced People(Hemisphere) I V : De-mystifying S t r u c t u r a l Adjustment & Economic I s s u e s b e g i n n e r ' s primer. 12 :00 - 1:00 Lunch (on your own) 1:00 1:15 Spontaneous ~ k i t s l e n e r ~ i z e r s 1:15 3:15 Workshops 3:15 4:00 Wrap-up & Networking
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: Friday by donation & Saturday $10 o r what you can a f f o r d .
"They are still killingour children, not with bullets but with policies that raise infant mortality and cause hunger."
For further information call CTF on C.A. at 875-9218
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5. DOD's Untold Scandal. A Justice Department investigation into possible fraud and bribery in securing defense contracts could equal or exceed the publication of the Pentagon Papers in its scope but we may never know. Search warrants and affidavits that contain transcripts of wiretapped conversationsofemployees with a major defense contractor have now been sealed by court order. 6. No lraqi Threat to Saudi Arabia. Satellite photos, of Iraq and Kuwait on September 11,1990,revealed no evidenceofa massive lraqi army threat to SaudiArabia as cited by president George Bush that sameday in his efforts to rally public support for the Gulf War. 7. FOlA is an Oxymoron. The erosion, and possible obsolescence,of the Freedom of Information Act over the past ten years coincides with a new and particularly hostile attitude toward the public's right to know which has characterized the Reagan-Bush administrations. 8. Corporate America's Anti-environmental Campaign. Recent corporate anti-environmental innovations include multi-million dollar law suits, the harassment and surveillanceof activists, the infiltration of environmental groups by "agent provocateurs,"and the creation of dummy ecology groups to locate whistleblowers. 10. The Bush Family's Conflicts of Interest. In recent history, no president has had the blatant but unexplored familial conflicts of interest comparable to that of George Bush. These include his brother, Presoott, a financia[mflcg!!r;! $r,r!!h:;!uen:Ia! c=n:ads h &pafi, South Korea, and the Philippines; his sons: Neil, a formerdirector of Silverado Savings and Loan whose business failure cost taxpayers about $1 billion; Jeb, a Miami real estate developer with questionable ties to a drug trafficker; and George W., a director and consultant to Harken Energy Corporation which has a lucrative oil production agreement with Bahrain, a tiny island ofl the coast of Saudi Arabia.
MEETING FOCUS:
Everybody i s i t c h i n g t o do a media t r i p on t h e f a b l e d Carnegie renovations ... Sun s t a r Bob S a r t i had a photographer & t h e whole schmear r a r i n l t o go but got blown o u t t a t h e water when Diane MacK sweetly s a i d " I t ' s not f i n i s h e d y e t you curkey!" Bob sobbed, but held o f f from gnashing t e e t h & rending garments - "The 'END OF THIS MONTH!". . d e j a vu..
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* Carnegie Association got a c a s i n o l i c ence f o r f o r April 24-25 a t Mandarin up t h e s t r e e t . Plans f o r revenue include l e a s i n g a van f o r t h e kids using Oppenheimer Park t h i s summer t o t a k e o u t - t r i p s .
* The Pool Room & Seniors Lounge a r e i n operation on t h e lane l e v e l & p l a n t s on the 2nd f l o o r concession - and u s t o o - have. more n a t n r a l ~ l i g h t . .,windows!
* Bruce Jackson, departed 2nd f l programmer, had t r i e d holing u p i n a suburb of t h a t monstrous megalopolis - Winlaw but cabin f e v e r had him back here t o help Bob S. put o u t a pot of glop.. " c h i l i " ( ? )
* Eleanor Kelly i s leaving t h e Library (Carnegie's a t l e a s t ) due t o some a s i n ine p o l i c y . t h a t sounds l i k e t h e one t h a t got the youth cop r o t a t e d
* Our d i r e c t o r , Diane, p i s s e d o f f a t not being named t o any royal commission on anything, s t a r t e d h e r own: The Carnegie Royal Commission on SmokingiNon-smoking Chairperson i s t h e t o t a l l y innocent Lisa, with t h e , c i t y l s by-law as t h e monkey-onour-back. Anyone could be cornered!
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Carnegie Community Centre 7:00pm Theatre
Sunday, March 22nd, 1992
Violence Against Women Working The Streets
Organized by the Carnegie Centre Community Relations Conrittee